Cade Fergus Brings ‘Fergalicious’ Energy to Double-A
R-Phils outfielder, Cade Fergus grew up in a sporty family. His dad, Craig who walked onto the University of Miami baseball team, and his mom Beth who played basketball, passed down their athletic genes to their son. Fergus played baseball, basketball, and soccer growing up but decided to pursue baseball
R-Phils outfielder, Cade Fergus grew up in a sporty family. His dad, Craig who walked onto the University of Miami baseball team, and his mom Beth who played basketball, passed down their athletic genes to their son. Fergus played baseball, basketball, and soccer growing up but decided to pursue baseball collegiately at George Washington University.
In his freshman season (2019), Fergus was named Atlantic 10 (A-10) Rookie of the Week going 10-for-19 (.526) with a double, triple, seven runs scored, and four RBI in four games. During his senior year, the outfielder was named to the A-10 All-Conference First Team. Fergus ended his collegiate campaign as a .280 hitter with 178 hits, 19 homers, 93 RBI, and 36 stolen bases through 163 games.
In July 2022, Fergus was drafted by the Phillies in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. “It was a lot of fun, I mean it's a stressful time I'll be honest,” said Fergus. “Once I heard my name called I shut off the computer, I didn't want to listen anymore because finally all that stress and anxiety was gone, and just hung out with my family called my friends from home, and said hey come on over.”
The 23-year-old hit a solo home run in his professional debut on August 2, 2022, with Single-A Clearwater. He returned to Clearwater to start the 2023 season posting a .255 average with 56 hits, 48 runs scored, 12 homers, and 47 RBI through 74 games.
He was promoted to High-A JerseyShore in August and appeared in 14 games. Following the season, Fergus was rated as having the best arm of all Phillies outfield prospects, according to Baseball America.
The outfielder was assigned to Reading on June 8. In his first month in Double-A, Fergus slashed .286/.444/.476 with six hits, a homer, three RBI, and three stolen bases through seven games.
Fergus reflected on his experience so far in Reading, noting the camaraderie he holds with his teammates. “It makes it a whole lot easier to come to the field when you got to come out here six days a week and just go through the same thing every day. You just go out there and compete.”
Fergus chose a fitting walk-up song when he entered professional baseball - “Fergalicious” by Fergie. The first time he suggested the song in college, he was shot down and decided to go another route. But as soon as he entered professional baseball it was “too fitting not to do it.”
The Fightins outfielder credits his development and success to the overall journey, rather than one specific moment. “I’d just say every day is its own unique opportunity for something cool to happen and see something that you've never seen before.”
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